Tuesday, July 16th, 2024. Lower East Side, Manhattan. — Apple TV+ and world-renowned chef René Redzepi hosted a magnificent screening for the highly anticipated docuseries, “OMNIVORE” ahead of its a global debut launch on Apple TV+, Friday July 19th.
The Knockturnal
The Dean Collection x Tres Generaciones® Tequila x Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys shut down NYC at Silencio NYC
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024. Silencio NYC. Manhattan, New York.—In urban aristocratic fashion, Tres Generaciones® Tequila, The Dean Collection, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys’ shut down New York City at Silencio NYC on Wednesday February 7th. Silencio NYC is the latest addition to the expansion of the coveted Private Members Club, with its origins in Paris. The exclusive celebration, “Just Because-Aquarius Edition”, honored the opening ceremony for the iconic power couple on their new exhibition GIANTS which will open its display on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the historic Brooklyn Museum.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Swizz Beatz attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila x Derrick Adams x Mickalene Thomas’ “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection on February 07, 2024 at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
The affluent guests in attendance spanned from the world of art, literature, music and high-end to urban fashion to honor the high profile couple, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys for the opening of their new exhibition, GIANTS, at Brooklyn Museum. Guests in attendance included Swizz Beatz and Silencio owner Arnaud Frisch; Comedian-Actor Evan Ross was in attendance, along with American singer-songwriter and actress Ashlee Simpson, Supermodel Joan Smalls; and artists, American visual and performance artist and curator Derrick Adams and Contemporary African-American visual artist and painter, Mickalene Thomas.
Also in attendance was Nigerian-American singer-songwriter recording artist Davido, America Rapper DSmoke, DJ and Producer Note Mercato, world-renowned and award-winning performing artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the arts and humanities Lil Buck, 3X CFDA Menswear of the Year winner Maxwell Osborne, Human Rights Activists Mysonne General and Tamika Mallory and renowned publicist Nadine Johnson and more.
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Davido attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
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Derrick Adams at the “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
It’s important to place emphasis on the accolades and prestige of all the creatives in attendance. It speaks to the pedigree of collaborators, circles of influence and community that fuels The Dean’s passion for art and self expression. The event honored Black artists from the GIANTS Exhibition at The Brooklyn Museum. The exhibition as a collection will include works from artists Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Kehinde Wiley, Nina Chanel Abney and many more.
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Ashlee Simpson, Evan Ross and Richie Akiva attend The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila x “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Ever searching for inspiration, The Deans, are notable for their philanthropic appreciation of the arts in all forms and champion the philosophy of “artists supporting artists.” To back their beliefs, a large scale of the couple’s personal artistic pieces, which they have coined as ‘The Dean Collection, GIANTS’ will showcase a focused selection from the world-class holdings. The Brooklyn Museum’s presentation spotlights works by BIPOC (black and indiginious people of color) diasporic artists, which is part of Brooklyn Museums ongoing efforts to expand the art-historical narrative that shape our society. The “Just Because-Aquarius Edition” party also celebrated the birthdays of the acclaimed artists – Mickalene Thomas and Derrick Adams – whose work will be on display beginning February 10th, 2024; and with special mention to their contemporary Aquarian, Alicia Keys, who celebrated her birthday on January 25th.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Swizz Beatz attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection on February 07, 2024 at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
The opening live music set included spins by DJ Sweets. Uptempo blends and sounds were also provided by Swizz Beats himself; Swizz Beats’ official DJ, DJ Runna, Soulection DJ and Co-Founder Joe Kay, Blonde filled the corners of the velvet walls. For the Wine & spirits enthusiast, specialty Silencio NYC cocktails were curated from Tres Generaciones® Tequila collection, which included signatures sips of, ‘The Aquarius Zaza’, a smooth mix of Tres Generaciones® Plata Tequila, Pineapple Syrup, Lime, Grapefruit Soda; ‘The GIANT’, comprised of Tres Generaciones® Reposado Tequila, Triple Sec, Hibiscus Syrup, and Lime; the ‘Big Tuna’, a blend of Tres Generaciones® Anejo Tequila with a lemon twist; and finally the ‘Chilly Chill Zone’, my personal favorite of the cocktails that included the Tres Generaciones® Anejo Tequila, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup and Champagne.
The evening closed with the guests richly satisfied by the open bar and the decadent indulgence of the rich and smokey Tres Generaciones® Tequila and the highlight of a remarkable lifetime experience at the private club Silencio NYC celebrating greatness and prestige with prolific and impactful art and culture leaders, The Deans.
January 31, 2024. Manhattan, New York. —I came to the knowledge of PRICE on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at The CABIN NYC, Manhattan New York where he hosted his exclusive listening session. The Cabin, a quaint venue, opened their doors and greeted myself and several media personalities to a low lit and intimate setting. The Cabin, a cozy eatery with wood paneled walls, infinity mirrors reflecting birch trees, and leather banquettes lining the perimeter of the restaurant greeted us with two warm host, h’oeuvres and beverages as we waited in anticipation for the man of the hour. An ambiance of familiarity set the tone for the private listening session for ‘C.I.T.Y. (Caught In The Youth)’, a new album that released on Friday, January 26th, by multi-hyphenate producer, songwriter, rapper and Rapreneur, PRICE.
‘C.I.T.Y.’ comes as a follow up project from PRICE’s introductory projects, ‘CLRD’ & ‘FOES’, both garnering over a million streams with high probability that ‘C.I.T.Y.’ will surpass both installments in his discography. PRICE offered a live performance that was personable and impressive and encouraged us to listen to the project in its entirety upon release; and what we didn’t realize we’d be experiencing is PRICE’s vulnerability and true expression through his healing and processing from the loss of his cousin while aligning himself to be a community and familial healer.
For those new to PRICE as a talent, the prolific songwriter hails from Inland Empire, CA and has paid his dues in the industry, notably recognized as a gifted Lyricist, Songwriter, Producer and Programmer whose penned hit songs for artists such as Travis Scott, Brandy Norwood and more. PRICE has co-written songs with legendary talents that include but are not limited to, Jill Scott, Mariah Carey, Wyclef Jean, Kanye West, Hit Boy, TI, Lil Wayne, Ty Dolla $ign, H.E.R., Lucky Daye, Wale, Rick Ross and many more. Encompassing ranges of sounds and influences that he’s acquired through collaborating and producing for other artists, PRICE also infuses technical prowess and versatility of style in his delivery and vocal arrangements.
‘C.I.T.Y. (Caught In The Youth)’, serves as an ode to PRICE’s late cousin, affectionately known to his peers and colleagues as, ‘BIG CITY’. The album hits his listeners with 12 tracks (37 minutes, 23 seconds) of what sounds like the Holistic side of Hip Hop. With sacred chants and ancestral offerings in sound, the word “Asé” echoes behind the narratives presented in spoken word and compliment the transition of each song. The album also serves as a reminder to leave the past behind, let tomorrow take care of tomorrow, and enjoy the present. With strong themes of community, family, love⸺fraternal, romantic, platonic and regional, C.I.T.Y. is raw and unfiltered peering into the mind, life, trials, and triumphs of PRICE. PRICE self produced a large portion of the album except for a few clever assists from PRICE’s longtime friend and GRAMMY award-winning producer, Hit Boy on ‘PROUD’, as well as four tracks from two-time GRAMMY nominated R&B record producer, Darhyl Camper. The project also includes features from T-Pain, Alex Vaughn, and Tish Hyman.
On the opening track, ‘CAUGHT IN THE YOUTH’, PRICE offers an array of transitions in delivery and sound, both with an empowered focus to become a “generational cure” aiming to heal the legacy of brokenness, pain, incarceration and drama that tends to follow black men and the members of the black community. “I refuse to get caught in the youth,” he repeats on the hook of the song, sweeping his listeners in with its catchy appeal; knowing that becoming a statistic of crime, violence or death would not be the legacy he plans to leave behind and that can be avoided with better choices.
“They thought I’d be dead by 25…Jokes on you, I’ve got Angels by my side/ Brown skin with a heart full of pride, Mansa Musa, I feel like the richest man alive…” on MANSA MUSA (featuring T-PAIN), PRICE offers an empowered swagger on the bouncy-track with head nodding rhythms. Malaya, the daughter of the late beloved, follows up as the song fades out, declaring her faith in her new ancestor, and that her father is ever present with her in this waking life. Throughout the progression of the album, PRICE takes us through his internal landscape by way of song, each track like a piece of patchwork of expression that allows us to witness how the loss of his cousin impacted his outlook on life, to his newfound spirit of gratitude and fortitude and how it simultaneously holds him together.“I Rejoice, I rejoice; some might say I’m cool, some say I’m crazy, I’m just trying to flow like God made me…crown myself, finally found my voice…” , on ‘REJOICE’, the liberated PRICE expresses that he intends to have a life full of wonderful things because he intends to focus on the positives in life, all while accepting himself and life for what it is and all it brings.
On ‘SAGGIN AND BRAGGIN’, the artist comes in embracing purpose as well as setting his boundaries as he actively seeks to draw peace into his life and claim all the blessings that he’s worked to earn for him and his loved ones. “Need a machete and a little headspace (For what?) /Just so I can cut off all the dead weight (cut em off). / I’m Rialto where they’re Toe Taggin’ (yeah)/Pants ain’t low when I tell you that I’m saggin’/ Walked in like hotshot/Ain’t no time for being humble…”; it’s evident that PRICE is on a mission to hold his head up high and walk confidently in this world, realizing and fulfilling his dreams every step of the way, while carrying his family legacy on his back. On ‘CUZO’, a playful and lighthearted ode, PRICE pays homage to his existing cousins that relate to him like brothers and sisters, shouting out all the amazing things each one has influenced and brought to his life.
The song that tugs viciously at the audience’s heart strings is ‘PROTECTED 2’. This song illustrates the vulnerability and fears of a black man as he struggles to navigate this world in which he lives. PRICE makes a heartfelt plea in his song as he repeats, “..so yes its true, we need black men to be protected too…just let my message through…born in a system built to pressure you…so yes its true, we need black men to be protected too…//
Black men step out side but coming home never’s been promised…the ones that said we all equal have never been honest….they took our male ancestors/put their hands behind their backs and made them watch them rape our women, real mental attacks…” this beautiful musical installment shines a light on the concerns, historical and present day, that anyone who’s ever loved, cared for, or adored a man of color, feels; from the desire to protect them from external harm and fear to the yearning to bring them peace of mind in all things. In ‘PROTECTED 2′, PRICE becomes a voice for men who want to cry out and say, “we matter and we need to be shielded too”, it serves as a reflective piece, a call to action and a somber question , “How will you, the listener, protect black men?” in day to day life.
As the project nears its ending, BIG CITY’s son, Marlon, reflects on the loss of his father through his grief stating that he wishes God took other things from him instead, like “his bike, his Xbox, Supreme hoodie, or even his basketball court …but not his dad”. Songs like ‘REPO MAN’, shows PRICE lamenting, displaying his sadness and disappointments from his loss of family and friends. Though heavy ladened with harps and lyrical punchlines, he is skilled enough to neutralize the weightiness of this theme with catchy hooks on genre-bending instrumentation and arrangements in other follow up tracks like PROUD and BLESS. PRICE displays his skills by creating a formidable and cohesive sound, unique to his brand, and universal in its appeal. The influences of sound found in this compilation range from gospel; to blends of Progressive Soul/R&B found on the endearing chart-topping single, ‘CREAM OF WHEAT’ featuring the soulful songstress, Alex Vaughn. “I don’t think you know just what you mean to me…I don’t think you know just what you mean to me…skin shea butter smooth you feel like cream to me…sweet as apple oatmeal, sweet as cream of wheat…” The love ballad, CREAM OF WHEAT, offers a tender landing place for PRICE and his listeners who know love is what we need to heal and navigate in a world that takes much from us on a daily basis. ‘HARDT ST’ is another sensual song that appeals to PRICE’s love for his object of affection, reflective and tender; PRICE declares his love and devotion to his beau, in promises that he has eyes for only her. What’s refreshing about these songs placements is that they are void of bashing his female counterpart, exhibiting his progressive stance and active approach to celebrating women in his life, community, and normalizing loving his woman, openly.
What’s ever present in this project as a whole is that it’s anchored and does not stray away from his authentic voice as an artist; and PRICE is skillful in his ability to keep his audience engaged in the continuity of his songs by way of talent, range and versatility. PRICE does not allow his eclectic flare to interfere with the continuity of sound or messaging in his album. What I appreciate about PRICE’s expression on this project is that he’s woke, but not so far open that he isn’t relatable. I appreciate that he does not deny his humanity, his journey, his heartbreaks, losses, the career rejections, and his ambitions that powered him through to where he is today in his success. What listeners will equally appreciate is that PRICE never veers off the course from reality, and he is still aware that he needs to move through this life with the self discipline, focus, leveling up and a healed community in mind. While it’s evident that PRICE’s passion is music, its also obvious that he is fueled by his childhood experiences, familial trauma, spirituality, and the desire to positively impact his hometown. He is clear in his intent, motivation and driven by his desire to be a generational cure for many. Its just as PRICE offers on his song, ‘WRITEOUS’, “…no longer care to debate who Christ is/ I’m more concerned with bringing people to where the light is/ and making sure no more of my bros get indicted…”
PRICE aims to live better, be better and bring people to the light of truth and personal freedom. It’s safe to say he’s begun to shine his light through his new album, ‘C.I.T.Y’. I highly recommend this palpable and transparent body of work, as a new layer unfolds with each listen, and respectively, with every spin of every song, it gives me comfort knowing that for Malaya, Marlon and PRICE’s sake, that BIG CITY can live and breathe through PRICE’s musical expression.
The Drake Hosts The Annual Holiday Party for Casita Maria Center in New York City
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Jackie Weld Drake, Beth Rudin DeWoody
Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Park Avenue, New York, NY. — Jacqueline Weld Drake, the gracious hostess and Chairman of Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, opened the doors to her home to host a phenomenal Annual Holiday Party for Casita Maria Center that included a live performance of Christmas caroling by the Casita Maria Choir.
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Casita Maria Choir
The Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, is the oldest Latin charity, thriving in New York City. Housed in an underserved and impoverished area in the South Bronx, the organization provides quality arts education programs to more than 1,000 students each day. This impressive level of efficiency is what Casita Maria prides itself as they believe in fostering a safe space that serves as a warm and welcoming community of holistic engagement, uplifting the youth and their families in their offerings through teaching and volunteering.
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Felix Urrutia, Tracey Fortson
The mission that Casita Maria focuses on is one of collaboration, coupled with empathy for the unique circumstances and hardships faced by each student-artist that attends their Center. Commitment as a team of professionals is a pact they make day to day, moment by moment as they seek to serve the intellectual, creative, physical, and emotional growth of the young student artists they serve without prejudice; their standard of excellence has championed them in the non-profit sector, 90 years in the making; a hard act to follow for any non-profit organization, but one that is not impossible for Casita Maria as they are being stewarded in by Executive Director, Felix Urrutia Jr through its next stages of development leading to their Centennial Anniversary in 2034. Last but not least, their ever-thriving desire to be innovative as they achieve their mission in partnership with loyal donors, the families that make up the community of the South Bronx, their dedicated administrative, educational team and staff, elected officials, community sponsors, partners, and the ever-growing support they garner as the awareness of their organization’s mission reaches the ears of caring adults who want to see the student artist thrive.
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Luisa Lopez Celada, Alberto Mariaca
The night opened with guests that included notable figures in the arts, media, and entertainment fields, such as famed and brilliant Art Director, Luisa Lopez Celada, who developed corporate and brand concepts, advertising campaigns, promotional materials, and publication designs for a myriad of companies; Editor-In-Chief and Founder, Jonn Nubian, of YRB Magazine, a lifestyle publication that focuses on fashion, music, art, and related cultural subjects; the intelligible and articulate CC Minton of The House Of Minton; Seven-time FiFi Award winner and internationally renowned packaging designer Marc Rosen and many more! The guests mingled and enjoyed tasty hors d’oeuvres, choice wines, beverages, and champagnes. Various media outlets and the honorary Casita Maria Community board members and supporters of the organization who have either participated in the offerings of Casita Maria, all held light conversation while indulging in fresh roasted turkey, peppercorn steak, and rye bread entrees.
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Marc Rosen,Cici Menton
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Casita Maria Choir
I had the opportunity to speak with Gail Heidel, the Artistic Director at Casita Maria overseeing all performing and visual arts and arts education programs. For almost a decade, Gail has poured her heart and soul into seeking new opportunities for the students of the Casita Maria Center. With over twenty years of experience as an arts administrator, curator, educator, and visual artist, Gail gushes over the reality that she has found her “dream career”, serving others and one that allows her to remain in the space of creativity, to teach and to give back to the community. We spoke on the “South Bronx Culture Festival” an annual tradition for the organization that began in 2011, held in the first week of June, and celebrates the vibrant culture and communities of the South Bronx through an annual performance series anchored by a new theme each year. This year the free outdoor performances were held at Father Gigante Plaza and garnered in support from BronxNet Television, media partners of the Casita Maria.
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Casita Maria Choir
One of the most impressive things that I discovered while speaking to Gail about Casita Maria, is that there’s a holistic emphasis and approach the organization takes in introducing the student artists into each medium. Offering studies and concentrations in music, performing arts such as theater and dance; instrumentation like piano and violin, as well as visual arts. It is refreshing to know that the engagement isn’t in place to pacify inner city youth; the staff and the programs built around the student-artist are about full engagement, and involvement, with consideration of their psychological and emotional development in mind. The organization also works in collaboration with volunteers and Teaching Artists, a comprehensive training and internship program comprised of artists, designed to prepare them for their fields through practicing their artistic crafts in the classroom. This level of consideration and mindfulness on the part of Casita Maria’s team and leadership is one to be ever admired and esteemed. These efforts are the cornerstone of what holds the borough of the Bronx, and the city together. True to their statement, Casita Maria is where generations of local residents have found a home away from home—a place to gather, play, create, learn, and grow. It stands as a symbol of resilience, providing vital support in arts, education, and community and youth development.
These efforts are all aimed at producing well-rounded individuals who aspire to fulfill their dreams.
Casita Maria’s educational programs offer after-school and summer programming for up to 1,000 young people from kindergarten through high school. Programs are built on a Creative Youth Development framework that combines arts education with academic assistance and positive youth development principles to empower young people to reach their potential as artists, scholars, and leaders.
All programs are free and operate after school from 2:30 to 6 PM. Casita Maria, though known to have a higher attendance from Bronx residents, accepts participants on a first come-first served basis, regardless of need.
To learn more about this wonderful organization and to show your support for the Casita Maria mission, visit their website at: https://www.casitamaria.org/
Inside Sean Paul’s Exclusive Performance Celebrating Vita Coco Spiked With Captain Morgan
Boston is officially on island time!
Coconut water brand Vita Coco and Captain Morgan have recently teamed up to bring the Caribbean to store shelves nationwide. As part of a multi-city “Tropical Takeover Tour” in celebration of Vita Coco Spiked with Captain Morgan, Jamaican rapper Sean Paul gave an exclusive performance at The Grand in Boston on Sept. 14.
The Grand was transformed into a tropical paradise with everything from palm trees and hammocks to signature Captain Morgan mixed drinks. The good vibes got even better when Paul took the stage to perform his top hits, including Sia’s “No Lie,” Clean Bandit’s “Rockabye,” and of course, “Temperature.”
Noteworthy guests of the night included 106 and Park host, Free.
Paul expressed his excitement regarding his partnership with the brands earlier this year in an exclusive interview with The Knockturnal. “In Jamaica we have a culture of rum tasting and drinking and when we do beach parties we usually put coconut water in our rum so it’s a perfect match for me,” the rapper said in June. “I love how it tastes.“
And Paul is right—this collab is so good that it will make you want to shake that thing. Made with real coconut water and Caribbean Rum, Vita Coco Spiked with Captain Morgan canned cocktails are available in three flavors: Piña Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri and Lime Mojito.
“It’s a way for me to spread a part of my culture as a Jamaican boy,” Paul continued, “and let people know how we do it.”
If you are 21+, visit captainmorgan.com to purchase your own vacation in a can.
August 4th, 2023. The Bar Beford, Moxy Hotel, Williamsburg, Brooklyn—-The Chaotic Singles Party takes on the Moxy Hotel with Tinder as a host. The Chaotic Singles Party is the brainchild event that went viral via TikTok, on Valentine’s Day of 2022 by Actress, Event Host, and Creator, Cassidy Davis. Cassidy rounded up her single friends and had them invite their long standing crushes from a dating app to an exclusive single’s only house party. She then shared this gathering online. The post went viral, pooling in well over a million views within days. The viral video picked up so much attention that it aired on Good Morning America, the Wall Street Journal, Insider, The New York Times, The Drew Barrymore Show, and KTLA 5 News in Los Angeles among others. Thus, the Chaotic Singles Party was born.
The Chaotic Singles Parties are held monthly all over the continental US in major cities, such as LA, New York, and Chicago (with a new surprise date and location, currently in the works). On average, between 200-300 singles attend these monthly gatherings in hopes to find their summer fling or forever thing. Impressed by the idea, and being one of the major dating apps in the world, Tinder swiped right on the idea of partnering with the “Chaotic Singles Party” creator to incorporate the popular singles-mingling event into their, “Singles Summer Series” initiative that encourages singles to meet by creating in-person experiences to connect.
A research study from Tinder discovered that “4 out of 10 young singles recently split from a partner”, or typically plan to weeks before the spring and summer months hit in order to be single and available to mingle. Eager to assist their happy swiping, Tinder launched their very own “Single Summer Series” to help the “newly un-cuffed” population get back out there into the physical dating world. This time partnering with the viral dating wave made by Cassidy’s “Chaotic Singles Party”; and where better to host the NYC event, than the coolest trendsetting hotel hotspot, the Moxy, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
To attempt to simulate the full experience of the “Chaotic Singles Party”, I joined Tinder and created a user profile in hopes I’d meet up with a match. I even had my friends and family vote on the spiciest photo for my profile. I set up a Tinder account a few days prior to the event; as it was my hope that one of the 99+ potential “right-swipes” would match with me and I could find a least one to invite to the party. Unfortunately, I did not swipe fast enough to match or build a connection in my area before the event on August 4th. Luckily, there were other eligible singles there who attended and had no pre-existing match either, so my options were wide open.
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Danielle Niecey/The Knockturnal. Pictured at Tinder’s “Chaotic Singles Summer” Photographer: C. London; Edits: J. Rivas
Located on Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, a destination cocktail bar, the Bar Bedford, awaited a room full of enthusiastic singles. The 21 + event welcomed me and my tiny entourage of +2 who did not know much of what to expect when approaching this beautifully low-lit cocktail bar. The Bar Bedford, the bar hosting the party, was designed by Bar Lab, the creative entity behind the Broken Shaker restaurant, housed in the Moxy Hotel. Upon entrance, we were greeted by the Tinder team who gleefully handed out name tags shaped in the form of the Tinder flame logos. The customized logos, which also included LGBTQAI+-friendly customized options, represented the guests’ “swipe-preference” type. Guests also had the option of entering a rally where they could win prizes for themselves and their matches. We quickly wrote our names down, attached our Tinder flames to our outfits, and got chaotic-wit-it.
Well, not too chaotic. The event felt more like, laid back chill-vibes, meets singles mixer all in one. It was everything that represented Williamsburg on a Friday night, “low-key, no pressure, and a moderately casual” ambiance. Present was a live DJ who kept up-tempo grooves in rotation for the evening with a blend of lo-fi, house, and EDM tunes. Guests sipped cocktails and flowed freely through the lounge, exchanging numbers, Instagram, and other social media handles; mingling with their favorite matches, new and old, and indulging in the opportunity to chat with more than one potential love interest.
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Chaotic Interview with Cassidy Davis, creator of the “Chaotic Singles Party”
A few guests, myself included, were interviewed by Cassidy herself, and shared details about our “Chaotic” party experience , our upcoming date plans with our new connections, and how easy it was to meet attractive new singles in a more public setting versus one on one pressures of a first date. The idea of a plethora of available singles all under one roof, looking to meet other hopefuls alleviated a lot of the first-time meet-up jitters. It was such a breath of fresh air for many singles who feel more comfortable crawling out of their pandemic pads, apartments, and remote jobs to make human-to-human contact.
For those looking to catch the next Chaotic Singles Party hosted by Tinder, here are a few “needs-to-knows”: Tinder members in New York must be 21 years of age or older to attend due to the sale, consumption and circulation of alcoholic beverages at the party. Tinder members do receive early access to the Chaotic Singles parties hosted by Tinder, allowing them first dibs to secure tickets before they are made available to the general public. Tinder ticket holders do receive preferred entrance to the events. Additional information for future upcoming Chaotic Singles Parties is provided on the Tinder app and Tinder website. Tickets allow entry for two guests – the member and a match they’re interested in exploring a connection with. Once the tickets go live, anyone 21+ is open to purchasing remaining tickets on platforms like Eventbrite (or wherever tickets are available for sale) to attend. Though it is encouraged, you do not need a date or connection to attend.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself at this Chaotic Singles Party hosted by Tinder and highly recommend those in search of a new hottie to take the plunge and swipe right.
Denim + Streetwear Brand KSUBI X A$AP TyY Shutdown SoHo to Launch Limited Edition Moto-Inspired Capsule Collection
Wednesday, June 28th 2023. KSUBI Store, SoHo, Fashion District, New York—The Australian Global denim streetwear line, KSUBI, that emerged as the hottest fashion line, infamously known for their signature distressed denim and box cross logo, reinforced their reputation to stand apart from the crowd of traditional denim based brands with their most recent collaboration. The DIY rebel of style partnered with rising rapstar from Harlem, A$AP TyY of the A$AP Mobb, to launch a Limited Edition Moto-Inspired Capsule Collection. A$AP TyY arrived at the jam-packed KSubi SoHo (located at 26 Greene Street) on a four-wheeler in moto-royale fashion. The artist, adorning a two piece denim set from the official moto-inspired line, took to stage shortly after and performed songs from his new EP, “1840 Lex” that officially dropped on Thursday, June 29th.
The inspiration behind the new nine-piece collection with KSUBI stems from A$AP TyY’s love for motosports and street racing. With TyY’s undeniable passion for the sport, streetwear fashion and heavy involvement as a multi-hyphenated creative, the conception and design of the capsule collection extended its spirit into the heart of the content creation for his new EP, “1840 Lex”. The 7-song music project brings in its wake A$AP TyY’s refreshingly eclectic sound fused with hip hop, trap and electronic music; the same audible styling that caught the ears of the legendary A$AP Rocky and A$AP Yams. A$AP TyY’s fashion-facing and trend setting appeal has been the vehicle thrusting him forward in the industry as an icon.
“I had the idea of doing moto-style denim and jerseys for a while. If you know your denim you know KSUBI. There’s no denying how influential KSUBI has been on hip-hop culture, and its ties to A$AP [Mobb], so it only made sense to bring this collection to life with the help of both of our teams”, said A$AP TyY.
There’s no formal way to say this but, the EP “1840 Lex”, is pure fire; coupled with a brand that leads the way in innovate streetwear, that’s a brilliant pairing. It’s a masterful adrenaline rush with blends of many genres and styles found in trap, punk, golden era hip hop and is ladened with synths and pitch distortion as found in electronic music. A$AP TyY’s performance on record displays a thoughtful expression of raw emotion. His hunger for artistic freedom bleeds through a confident showcase of his vocal coloring, choice of instrumental accompaniments and release of emotion through his penned lyrics. A$AP TyY’s ability to explode on track at any moment illustrates the energy behind KSubi’s hard-edged appeal. With Ksubi and A$AP TyY partnering on the creative direction for the music video of TyY’s newest single, ‘Purge’, from the “1840 Lex” EP, the two iconic figures merge their brands effortlessly.
KSUBI highlights that in the exclusive nine-piece collection, their collaboration with A$AP TyY emphasizes the focus on the ‘collateral damage as stressors to the fabric of the garments that incur while participating in the sport’ and ‘attempting to maintain the garment’s original integrity as motosport ware’ as part of the central theme throughout KSubi and A$AP TyY’s Limited Edition Capsule designs. Championing items of the in-demand collection include: two racing jersey designs with co-branded KSUBI & A$AP custom pieces influenced by sponsor logos on the jersey’s of the professional moto-riders. KSubi shines in their custom faded wash techniques on their iconic slim-fit Ksubi denim, which is also included in the collection, plus a t-shirt and hoodie offer the collection an ‘already lived in feel’, that is achieved only after ‘breaking in’ the traditional hold of new attire. The jersey-fabric pieces are accentuated in distressing fashion which lends a heavy nod and silent applaud to the look and feel of natural wear and tear. The denim has also been moto-style treated to provide oil stain effects, ‘gravel splatter’ artwork on the back of the garments, and repair style embroidery on the crotch to give the deteriorated feeling of motorsport ware.
The KSUBI x A$AP TyY’s, Limited Edition Moto-Inspired Capsule Collection, will be available from 29th June 2023 at KSUBI stores in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and London, as well as brand’s official online retail store: www.KSubi.com and selected retailers globally which including Saks 5th Avenue in the US and Culture Kings in Australia.
“1840 Lex” by A$AP TyY is available on all major music streaming platforms Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal and more.
May 31, 2023. Toro Loco Restaurant, Financial District. Manhattan New York– Toro Loco (Spanish for crazy bull), located at 15 Stone Street in the Financial District, launched a Summer Kick off Party in honor of the unveiling of “The Garden” their newest dining and event space just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Toro Loco, whose official opening date was May 3, 2023 is popularly known for their delicious cloud-light guacamole blend and heaping portions of nachos; over-the-top dishes such as the Birria Tortas and their mouthwatering cuisines; also doubles as an event space. The Ground Floor, which is the primary entranceway into the hangout destination, holds a capacity of up to 150 standing guests; 50 seated with bar service (domestic and imports on tap). The Second Floor, whose entrance is located directly upstairs, holds a capacity of 120 standing and 60 people limit for seated guests. The newly unveiled area, “The Garden”, Toro Loco’s newest outdoor space, maxes out to 60 guests. The Garden, an outdoor Terrace, is best suited for intimate gatherings during warmer temperatures.
The Summer Kickoff party opened with DJ Hi Ki, playing several sets that included music from Bruno Mars to Beyonce blended with classics from the 80’s and 90’s and present-day hits! The restaurant showcased their signature dishes, the delicious chicken and beef Empanadas, savory steak tacos and much more. Guests mingled as the kitchen served up rounds of delectable bites for sampling. An open bar provided refreshing cocktails such as the spicy off menu beverage, the Girasol, a tasty blend of Bacardi, mango chili, rum, mango lemon, and melon liqueur. Guests danced and kicked back to enjoy the open sky view and the cool breeze floating from the Piers nearby.
Being thoroughly impressed by the food offerings, I took a step away from the Garden to browse the full menu. Beginning with Para La Mesa (or ‘for the table’) section, the appetizers, I came across some interesting finds such as the Sopa De Tortilla, a rich tomato-based soup made with chicken, guajillo and topped with crispy tortilla strips, sour cream, avocado, shaved radish and Manchego cheese. I’d recommend that savory comfort meal on a cold or rainy day. The Toro Loco wings, one of my personal favorites, is coated in a thick habanero agave glaze and served with a cool side of jalapeno ranch dressing to dip., another delicious item on the menu.
For guests in search of a much lighter dining experience, the Ensalada (salads) like the Mexican Cobb salad or the California Bowl, served with corn, avocado, queso fresco, cherry toppings, iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, jicama, red onions, ranch dressing in an edible taco bowl, are sure to be satisfying finds.
Before returning back to the Garden to witness the return of the infamous “Flaming Skull”, I took one more peek at the Taqueria (the specialty Mexican dishes) and the Platos Fuerte (Heavy Dishes) sections of the menu to take a mental note of a few additional dishes I’d like to try on my next visit. The Chimichangas, my favorite Mexican dish; the Surf & Turf, a grilled Sirloin steak served with charred octopus, chimichurri, pico de gallo, pickled red onions, radish, salsa verde cruda and corn tortillas. Lastly, the Cauliflower Al Pastor, a vegetarian friendly option made with Cauliflower Al Pastor, pineapple, guacamole, onion, cilantro, chile de arbol salsa with a corn tortilla.
I ventured back to the Garden to find the guests centered on the bartender and taking candid photos of the Flaming Skull in preparation for its “flame on top”. As the bartender carefully placed the lighter to the rim of the glass, lightly dusting the cocktail to boost the dramatic appeal, the guests clapped and cheered with great fascination.
I highly recommend checking out this very cool, laid-back atmosphere after work, Friday night or a Saturday night out on the town. If you’re feeling adventurous, Toro Loco also hosts the “Bottomless Brunch” Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (last seating at 3:30 pm); and Drag Sundays, hosted by: LAS BORRACHAS.
Reservations for dining at Toro Loco is available on their website, including their menu: www.ToroLocoNYC.com or if you’re sold on this spot already, you can Book Your Toro Loco Reservation Now on Resy!
Reel Works Annual 2023 ChangeMakers Gala at Ziegfeld Ballroom, Manhattan New York
May 24th, 2023, Manhattan, New York. Ziegfeld Ballroom. — Reel Works, a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by Producers John Williams and Stephanie Walter, hosted their Annual ChangeMakers Gala, honoring Val Boreland, EVP of Content Acquisitions for NBC Universal Television and Streaming; and Producer, Director and world-renown Actress, Nia Long. Reel Works serves over 1,600 NYC youth annually from middle school through high school and beyond. The services offered through Reel Works aims to develop the hope filled youths as industry professionals, artists and citizens, all while helping them to excel in academics, preparing them for graduation, encouraging them to pursue higher educational goals, while aligning their professional development to launch careers in media, film and related industry sectors. To date, Reel Works is the only filmmaking program that matches teens 1:1 with professional filmmaker-mentors that show them how to tell their stories and have their voices heard.
Thursday, December 8, 2022. SOHO Loft, Manhattan, New York. – The American Express x NBA 2K23 Gaming Lab partnership event is a four-day immersive pop-up experience in SoHo that began December 8-11, and gave fans a literal shot at sharpening their 2K skills on and off the court with one on one lessons from coaches and game experts. Day one of that 4-day activation was held on a chilly Thursday evening in Soho. A loft started heating up in preparation for the American Express x NBA 2K23 Gaming Lab. In attendance to the cool event were media press outlets, game enthusiasts, social media brand influencers and diehard fans of the NBA 2K franchise.
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NBA 2K streamer Kristopher London, New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu and NBA 2K host Alexis Morgan participate in a fireside chat at the American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab in New York on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Jason DeCrow/AP Images for American Express)
The event featured a Fireside Q&A chat moderated by producer, famed NBA 2K host and gaming influencer Alexis Morgan. Alexis is an engaging, humorous and astonishing host whose resume includes experience in live show and studio hosting, as well as covering A-list red carpet celebrity events here in New York City and as far out as Los Angeles. American professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association, Sabrina Loneus, one of the interviewed panelists, shared her admiration of the new NBA 2K23 game upgrades that now includes teams and players from the WNBA.
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New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu appeared at the American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab in New York on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Jason DeCrow/AP Images for American Express)
She also revealed that her favorite part about the game is “playing as myself because a lot of her moves in the game are similar,” she also added that it’s coaching her along the way in her styling, “…oh I might need to tweak that move a little bit”. The skilled athlete continued on to say that though she loves gaming with her brothers, but that the reality is that she spends most of her time playing and staying conditioned on the court.
Kristopher “Kris” London, English-American YouTuber known for his basketball and gaming videos, and member of the NBA-focused web group 2HYPE, was the second featured panelist for the Q & A with Alexis during the Fireside Q & A. When asked the question, “What do you like most about [NBA] 2K [23]?” Kris shared that the game allowed him the opportunity to express himself and that the game has allowed him to showcase his passion for gaming, basketball, and allowed him to expand his audience online. He also mentioned that his favorite features on the new release is “this year’s drip”, and that he couldn’t wait to spend the remainder of the weekend at the American Express x NBA 2K23 Gaming Lab, “taking names”.
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Fans sharpen their gaming skills at the American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab in New York on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Jason DeCrow/AP Images for American Express)
His light hearted banter was centered around the lab gaming areas stationed on both walls that lead up to the court. Several small hubs ran along a long side of the event space with two chairs on the left and right viewing angles of a large screen television for the guest to test the NBA 2K23 game. At each hub, digital-gaming coaches were available to aid onlookers and participants in upping their gaming skills on the 2K platform.
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Fans sharpen their gaming skills at the American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab in New York on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Jason DeCrow/AP Images for American Express)
My favorite station at the gaming activation was The Highlight Hub. The Highlight Hub was a large interactive half court where fans followed a lit pathway on the floor of the court to recreate the iconic shots programmed in the NBA 2K23 Game. Remaining guests sat court side engaging with the charming hospitality team, enjoying tasty chicken bao buns, brisket sliders, caprese skewers, refreshments and other mouthwatering hors-d’œuvrs. The lively crowd cheered on the courageous ball players who voluntarily performed on the court for 60 seconds to make as many successful free throw shots through the hoop as they could before the buzzer brought their scrimmage against the time to a halt.
The event was a hit! All NBA 2K fans in attendance and streaming via Twitch for the American Express x NBA 2K23 Gaming Lab, received a complimentary POAP digital certificate to commemorate their experience. American Express card holders received special perks in the form of NBA 2K23 locker codes to improve their in-game avatar’s skill level. Fans in attendance were also given the opportunity to get their sneakers cleaned by Jason Markk (founded by Jason Mark Angsuvarn in California), a top of the line shoe product and accessory brand that creates products for sneaker maintenance.
On Saturday night of the event when rapper, Jack Harlow, joined the event as an on-site guest, alongside comedian, Druski, NBA 2K23 on a Twitch livestream. It was definitely an awesome event and one that I’ll do my best to catch on the next release of NBA 2K and American Express.